New Delhi, Jan 11 (PTI) Social media and government
schools in Jammu and Kashmir are spreading a "disinformation
campaign" resulting in radicalisation of youth, Army chief
Gen. Bipin Rawat claimed today, and called for "some control"
over mosques and madrasas in the state.

He said a "major revamp" of the education system was
needed in the state to deal with the problem.

Rawat said the issue of exercising some amount of control
over mosques and madrasas to check the flow of disinformation
was being looked into.

Addressing a press conference on the eve of the Army
Day, Rawat said each classroom in government schools in Jammu
and Kashmir has a separate map of the state besides that of
India which sowed the seeds of thought of some kind of
"separate identity" among the children.

"The damage done to us is through the social media. A
very large amount of disinformation campaign is being spread
in Jammu and Kashmir which is radicalising the youths through
the social media and through the schools," he said.

"The other issue is the madrasas and masjids -- what is
being informed to them (the students) or incorrectly informed
to them is through the madrasas and masjids. I think some
controls have to be exercised there and that is what we are
looking at." He, however, did not elaborate on what kind of
control he was suggesting over such institutions.

Rawat also suggested that some stone throwers in Kashmir
were youth from government schools, and stressed on the need
to reform the education system.

"If you go to any Kashmir school, You will find two maps
-- one is the map of India and one is the map of Jammu and
Kashmir. There are always two maps in every classroom. Why
should there be a map of Jammu and Kashmir. If you are putting
a map of Jammu and Kashmir, then you may as well put map of
every state.

"What does it mean to children that I am part of the
country but I also have a separate identity. So, the basic,
grassroots problem lies here is the way the education in Jammu
and Kashmir in government school has been corrupted," said
Rawat.

He said students from schools like DPS were not found
involved in activities like stone-pelting, and added

that is
why the 'goodwill schools' run by the Army are accorded higher
status.

The Army chief noted opening more public schools, more
CBSE schools, was the way forward.

"In the schools in Kashmir -- the government schools --
what is being taught. I will only be happy if you can visit
some of the schools and attend the classes and see what is
being taught," Rawat said, without elaborating.